Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, David Littleproud, said the agreement shows the Indian Government recognises the importance of their relationship with Australia's grain farmers and was a win for grains, chickpea and pulse farmers going forward.
"The meetings held with Indian ministers in Delhi have been positive and there is strong support for an enduring and mutually beneficial trade relationship," Minister Littleproud said.
"In two separate meetings I requested India respect contracts entered into prior to the raising of tariffs on 21 December 2017, better transparency of grain stocks, including chick peas and pulses, and a suitable lead-in time for any future tariff impositions,” he said.
“I’m pleased to get a commitment our grain, chickpea and pulse farmers will receive advance notice of any tariff changes in future. Growers invest when they have certainty and we thank India for providing greater certainty.
"India's Minister for Commerce and Industry, Suresh Prabhu, acknowledged concerns raised by Australian grain exporters, and has indicated these will be discussed with India’s Central Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Krishna Raj, to improve reliability for the trade with India in future.”
Minister Raj gave a commitment that India would consider the impacts on Australian suppliers in future, and if a similar event unfolded, would give us forward notice of stocks before the imposition of tariffs.
Minister Littleproud said the outcomes of discussions built on the positive feeling for the long-term economic relationship between our two countries at the Australia-India Leadership Dialogue, also held in Delhi.
Minister Littleproud led the Australian delegation to India for the Australia India Leadership Dialogue, from Sunday 21 January to Tuesday 23 January 2018.
